Ken Block's New Gymkhana Ride is a 1978 MkII Ford Escort RS

Ken Block has never had a rear-wheel-drive Gymkhana vehicle. That stat line changes with this, a 1978 MkII Ford Escort RS that Block bought in 2008 and used as his first rally car.

The lack of tarmac rallies in the US means it doesn't get much use, so he decided to repurpose it for Gymkhana with the help of his Hoonigan Racing company, the UK's Quick Motorsports, and Japan's Rocket Bunny.

What little Escort is left is in that highly modified shell, blown out to a wider stance by Rocket Bunny, then adorned with a flat-black Hoonigan paint job and the stars-and-stripes. Under that flag resides a 2.5-liter Millington four-cylinder racing engine with a 9,000-rpm redline and 333 horsepower, all of those ponies naturally aspirated, thank you.

There are four custom fifteen52 wheels at the corners, wearing Pirelli rubber. Block says the prime directive for the Ford Escort is "to kill tires with the quickness," something there will definitely be a lot of as his crew prepares a big video for 2016 featuring the new addition. While we wait for the man himself to get more time behind the wheel, above and below you'll find two burning-rubber videos: the one above of pro drifter Ryan Tuerck working the Rocket Bunny Escort out on a small Gymkhana course, with father Block in attendance, the one below is a circular practice session at the Hoonigan Donut Garage. Enjoy.